Retro Spectacles kicks off a new series, “Good, Good for Its Time, or Good for My Time?” with Teddy’s pick that also doubles as a Fourth of July celebration: The Sandlot. Mitch saw it for the first time a month ago with zero nostalgia attached. Teddy grew up watching it on cable until it felt like he owned it. The question: does a beloved coming-of-age classic hold up when you strip the nostalgia away?

The verdict is unanimous. Dennis Leary plays against type as a stepdad who isn’t a jerk but has no idea how to parent. James Earl Jones elevates the entire third act with five minutes of screen time and a first-name-basis familiarity with Babe Ruth that only he could pull off. And Benny the Jet Rodriguez remains the blueprint for what it means to be cool enough to sprinkle cool dust on someone who has none.

Mitcz and Teddy dig into what ages well and what doesn’t, Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez as a Fourth of July icon, poor Bertram getting lost in the 60s, and why the Sandlot’s version of America is the one worth celebrating.

Get your spectacles on and join us!